well, that, before morning, they had thrown up a redoubt about eight rods square; and so silently, that the British knew nothing of it till day-break.

The latter, when they discovered the redoubt, began firing upon the people in the fort; but the Americans worked on, till they raised a breast work, reaching from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill. As Breed's Hill commands the city, the British saw they must either be driven off, or drive off the provincials. They, therefore, opened a tremendous fire from the batteries and armed vessels, that floated on all the waters about Boston. Showers of bombs and balls were fired. A terrible battery was raised upon Copp's Hill, opposite Breed's; but all in vain. The Americans worked on, and had finished a trench, or ditch before noon, which reached to the bottom of the hill.

officers being killed and wounded around him. General Clinton, who had been watching the battle from Copp's Hill, now came to his aid with new troops. They made a third effort, with more spirit than before. Clinton led on the whole body; the cannon still firing from the ships and batteries, and the flames and smoke of the burning town sweeping over them like the blast of a furnace.

The powder of the Americans was now exhausted, and they were compelled to draw off. They retired to Prospect Hill, fighting with their muskets as if they were clubs, and there began throwing up new works; The British intrenched themselves on Bunker's Hill, and neither army seemed willing to attack the other. They had fighting enough for one day. Of 3,000 British troops, 1,054 were killed or wounded. A large part of these were officers. The sharp-shooters had taken the poor fellows down like so many gray squirrels.

It was now the 17th of June, and on this day was fought the famous battle of Bunker's Hill. The British were determined to make a great effort. The Americans lost five pieces of cannon. Their The provincials lay ready for them on the hill. killed, of about 1,500 engaged in the battle, amounted General Putnam, of Connecticut, commanded the to 134; their wounded to 314. General Warren whole force. They had muskets, but few of them was among the dead. He was a brave man, and bayonets or rifles. They were sharp-shooters, was loved and lamented by all classes of people. however, and were brave men as ever breathed. An English officer, who knew him by sight, saw About noon of a terribly hot day, the whole him in the retreat, rallying the Americans. He British camp seemed to be in motion. A vast multi-borrowed a gun of one of his soldiers, and taking a tude of sloops and boats started from the Boston fatal aim, shot him in the head, and he fell dead on shore, covering the water far and wide. The sol- the spot. diers landed at Moreton's Point, in Charlestown, protected by their batteries behind them. Here they paraded in fine order. They were the flower of the English army, and were commanded by General Howe and General Pigot. But the Americans appeared a little too strong and too cool for them; and they waited for a few more companies to join them. The Americans took this opportunity to protect themselves still more, by pulling up some post and rail fences, which they set before them, in two rows, and filled the space between with fresh hay, which they gathered from the hill. The British began to march. The militia left to defend Charlestown, retreated. The British entered it, and set fire to the buildings. In a few moments, 500 wooden buildings were in flames. The wind blew high, and the fire streamed up, and roared in the most terrible manner.

Thousands of people were gazing at the scene from the Boston steeples, and waiting with great anxiety for the fate of the battle. There were multitudes also, on all the high roofs and hills round about. Never was there such a bustle and stir. The English marched slowly towards the redoubt, halting now and then, for the cannon to come up and fire. They came, at last, within musketshot; and the redoubt, which had been as still as the grave till this moment, blazed all at once, with a tremendous volley.

The British were soon thinned off, and compelled to retreat. Many fled for their lives, and threw themselves into the boats. The green field of battle was covered with dead bodies. The officers ran hither and thither, to rally the troops; and after some time, persuaded them to march forward again. The Americans waited for them quietly, and received them once more with a flood of balls. The British fled down the hill to the shore.

General Howe was alone upon the field; all his

The

The battle of Bunker's Hill, as it was called, though fought on Breed's Hill, had no decisive effect; yet it roused the country, showed the Americans that they were able to contend with the regulars, and taught the British, that the provincials were not exactly the cowards they had taken them for. capture of Breed's Hill did them more hurt than good. They were obliged to defend it now, and they had not too many men before to defend the town. Their soldiers were also worn out with fatigue, and were much depressed by the hot weather.

CURIOUS COINCIDENCE

Washington was born February 22, 1732, inaugurated 1789; his term of service expired in the 66th year of his age.

John Adams was born October 19, 1735, inaugurated 1797; term of service expired in the 66th

year

of his age.

Jefferson born April 2, 1743, inaugurated 1801; term of service expired in the 66th year of his age.

Madison born March 5, 1751, inaugurated 1809 ; term of service expired in the 66th year of his age.

Monroe born April 2, 1759, inaugurated 1817; term of service expired in the 66th year of his age.

The above is a list of five of the Presidents of the United States, (all men of the Revolution,) who ended their term of service in the 66th year of their age!

A Significant Reply. "Thomas," said a sponging friend of the family to the footman, who had been lingering about the room for half an hour to show him to the door; "Thomas, my good fellow, it's getting late, isn't it? How soon will the dinner come up, Thomas?" "The very moment you be gone, sir," was the unequivocal reply.

THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN 1673.

American city. You may meet Frenchmen, Span iards, Italians, Austrians, Swiss, Germans and Russians, Chinese, Jews, Turks, Africans and Portuguese, English, Southrons and Yankees, all commingling in the same hour, in the same street, and in the same scene, and all of whom perhaps are numbered in the census of this great metropolis Yet nothing is fixed, nothing is permanently settled-all is moving and removing, organizing and

Would that we possessed the ingenious pen of Diedrich Knickerbocker, that great Dutch Herodotus, that lofty and veritable historian, whose glorious name shineth upon the same immortal page with those of Thucydides and Xenophon, Livy, Tacitus and Polybius, Diodorus, and Aboul Hassan Aly the son of Alkhan, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Sanchoniathon, Manetho and Berosus! For, gentle reader, none but his pen can do justice to that bright period disorganizing, building up and tearing down-the in the history of this island, to which we intend, for ever-active spirit of change seems to pervade all a few moments to revert. We refer to the days of bodies, all things, and all places. The expanding those redoubtables, Wouter Van Twiller, William and growing town forcibly reminds you of a burly Kieft, Peter Stuyvesant and Anthonio Colve. Die- young landlady," who grows too fast for her gardrich Knickerbocker! thou hast illuminated this re-ments, in spite of all the tucks and drawing-strings, markable era with inimitable grace, thou didst open and broad plaits, made to let out."" Indeed, you this history with exalted honour to thyself and glory to thy noble progenitors! In returning to it at this distant and degenerate period, we submit to thy guidance, not for once presuming to question the authenticity of thy learned statements, nor thinking to distrust thine unimpeachable veracity. We have known thee only to love and revere, we have read thee only to believe and admire, we have thought of thee only to wonder at thy greatness. Thy works are thine enduring monument; Diedrich Knickerbocker, thine immortal epitaph!

will observe, that notwithstanding the present vastness and populousness of the city, the extending business, the multiplying population and the pervading and untiring spirit of enterprise, indicate that the period is not remote when the whole island will be overgrown with its millions of inhabitants..

The city of New York now numbers about two hundred and fifty thousand people. It is divided into fifteen wards; one thousand and fifty-seven blocks; forty-three thousand two hundred and sixteen lots, of which ten thousand six hundred and The ancient island of Manhattan is situated at the fourteen are unoccupied, and one thousand eight junction of Hudson and East rivers, sixteen miles hundred are yet to be gained out of the rivers. from the great Atlantick ocean, and is fifteen miles The value of real estate is computed at about one long. This island is now occupied by a town, which hundred and twenty-five millions of dollars; the enjoys a notorious celebrity as the great city of value of personal property at about sixty-five milNew York. The reader may have personal know- lions. The number of foreign vessels which now ledge of its character, as a dusty, smoky, noisy, busy, yearly arrive is about two thousand. The whole great and mighty metropolis-grown indeed, as we value of the imports of last year in both American intend to show, from " a dapper little town" to be the and foreign vessels was $76,876,496. The total acknowledged emporium of the western hemisphere. amount of exports domestick and foreign in both You may have seen its fine buildings, its long streets domestick and foreign vessels was $22,196,068. and handsome "places," its dense throngs of inhab- The total amount of duties secured at this port itants, its immense shipping and its enormous trade. last year by American and foreign vessels was You have observed on one hand the princely dwell- $10,183,152.64. The expenses of the city corporaing, the costly equipage, and the splendid "appear- tion were $1,103,180.72. The losses by fire ances ;" and on the other the squalid hut of poverty, amounted to about a million and a half, and have alof filth, of vice, and of extreme misery and de-ready surpassed that sum this year. The total gradation. You have perceived the eddying throngs, amount of fuel inspected for sale and use, was gathering and whirling, scattering and hurrying $930,504.03. The number of deaths was nine hither and thither in the activity of commercial pur- thousand and eighty-two. suits, and may have been confused by the never-ending turbulence and commotion, the hundreds of mingled notes and noises which are ever arising from the multifarious trades and occupations of nearly two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. As you have mingled in the crowds of people, you may sometimes have been at a loss to determine the idenUntil Governour Stuyvesant surrendered the island tity of the town, and have stopped to question to the English in 1664, the little town at its lower whether you were in an oriental, an European, or an extremity had been denominated New Amsterdam.

We have thus summarily described New York as it is in A. D. 1835. We now desire the reader to look on the picture overleaf, and go back with us just one hundred and sixty-two years, to a period when New Orange existed, with all its strange peculiarities and amusing customs.

August following, and after the surrender of the town which took place with little resistance, continued for a short time in the North river. When it returned to Holland, the "fregatt Zee-hond," com

gun ship under the control of Gov. Colve, were left at the solicitation of the burgomasters, for the protection of the city.

The English governours Nicolls and Lovelace, with a scandalous want of veneration for Dutch cognomens, dubbed the town New York. In 1672 England and Holland were at war. During this war, which continued about two years, a Dutch fleet,manded by Capt. Evertsen, and the Surrinam, a 44 commanded by Commodores Cornelis Evertsen, jr. and Jacob Benches, Captains Anthonio Colve, Nicolas Baes, and Ab. Fierd. Van Zyll, sailing in this direction, recaptured New York, in August 1673. The council of war of the conquerors immediIn compliment to the Prince of Orange, they named ately transferred its sessions from the fleet, to Fort the town New Orange. But they retained it only William Hendrick. They organized themselves into for a short time; yet their short administration was a military tribunal. of supreme authority, and comso peculiar and glorious, that the whole of our article menced remodelling the government of the city, inshall be devoted to the history of that period. It conformity to its ancient customs and the exigency, was at this remarkable era, that the view we have of the period. They accordingly re-established the placed on our first page was taken. It was origin-order of schout burgomasters and schepens; but, ally published in Amsterdam, in Holland, and was retained the office of mayor, adding to it that of; inscribed :-Nieuw Amsterdam onlang Nieuw Jorck genamt ende hernomen by de Nederlanders op den 24 Aug. 1673; which being interpreted, signifies, New Amsterdam lately called New York, and retaken by the Dutch on the 24th August, 1673.

auditor of the military council. At a call of the citizens, a sheriff, six burgomasters, and fifteen schepens were elected by a majority of votes. Anthonio Colve was commissioned governour under the provisional sanction of the states-general and the It may be well to remind the reader, that New Prince of Orange. Cornelis Steenwyck was apYork was first discovered by Henry Hudson, an pointed counsellor of state, and Nicholas Bayard as English navigator employed by the Dutch East India secretary of New Netherlands, and as geheim schryCompany, in 1609. A few years after, a few trading ver, or recorder of secrets; as vendu meester, or and fishing huts were erected on the lower extremity auctioneer, and as book-keeper and receiver-general, of the island. For twenty years from this period, of the revenues. The military tribunal thus relieved we know but little of the progress of the settlement, from the principal burden of civil affairs, proceeded and it may be legitimately considered the "dark age" to deliberate upon measures for the permanent secuof our history. In 1629 Governour Wouter Van rity of the city. A code of sanguinary military law Twiller arrived and took the command of New Am-was passed; the strictest discipline enforced among sterdam. His administration continued nine years, the soldiers; the mayor, at the head of the city and has been humorously illustrated by Mr. Irving. militia, held daily parades in front of the City Hall; After him succeeded William Kieft, who also admin-every evening he received the keys of the fort from istered nine years, viz. until 1647. Then followed the principal guard, and, accompanied by a sergeant the prosperous government of the immortal Peter and six armed soldiers, proceeded to lock the city Stuyvesant, which lasted seventeen years, when he gates, and station the "citizen on guard” and night was compelled to surrender to the English. Under watches, and returned the keys to the commanding him, viz. in 1656, the city was laid out into streets. officer. At daylight he performed the same duty in It then contained about 120 houses, and one thousand opening the gates. During the time the gates were inhabitants, including a numerous garrison. The locked, no person was allowed to go upon the " ramfirst map and survey of the lots was made by Gov. parts, bulwarks, rondeels or batteries of the city," Stuyvesant in 1660, and transmitted to the directors on pain of corporal punishment, and if any person, of the West India Company at Amsterdam. In" without any distinction," entered or left the city 1664, Charles II. of England, granted to his brother except through the city gates, death was the penalty. the Duke of York and Albany, an extensive territory The soldiers were daily paraded and exercised at, which included this colony. A small armament was the fort, and the guard mounted upon the ramparts; fitted out in England to act against the Dutch here, sentinels were stationed at the gates, the reveille who, however, speedily submitted. The English played every morning at daybreak, the tap-toe beaten governours, Richard Nicolls and Francis Lovelace, every evening at nine o'clock, at the time of the held dominion over these territories for the space ringing of the city bell, and the daily discharges of of nine years, when they were recaptured by the musketry and the occasional roar of cannon, reverDutch. berating on every side, warned the neighbourhood of The Dutch fleet anchored off "Nayah," at the the presence and watchfulness of the military au Narrows, in July 1673. It approached the fort in thorities.

Military discipline was very strictly enforced. A bridle in his mouth, rods under his arm, and an ap corporal's guard was on duty every day, when the propriate label on his breast. In relation to the dismuskets were examined by the sergeants and corpo-tribution of rations, we desire to note one particular, rals. They were also on duty at one o'clock in the for the especial enlightenment of our modern comafternoon, and on Sunday at noon, when the gates missaries. No ardent spirits were permitted to be were shut. The transactions of every day, were circulated amongst the soldiers; but instead, every reported to the governour by a lieutenant or an en-seven men received per week a hálf vat of small sign. At nine o'clock, when the tap-toe was beaten, beer. all the soldiers and sailors were permitted to go to sleep," without making any noise." There was an officer, but a grade only above a common soldier, called an adelborst, whose business it was to go the rounds and visit the sentinels, from time to time during the night, and also to see that the soldiers kept their barracks and dwellings clean, and that no dirt or water was thrown into the fort. The duty of the corporals was to see that the muskets were kept clean and well charged, and that the accoutrements were in good order; that not more than three or four men went at once to dine; that no strong liquor was introduced into the guard-house; that the soldiers were properly instructed and disciplined, and " that neither Dutch nor Englishmen entered the gates of the fort without permission, the magistrates of the city only excepted, much less that any person what-meesters; and the overseers of the fire engine insoever should walk on the batteries." They were obliged to read the code of military law every time they were on guard, "that no one might in future presume to pretend his ignorance."

The civil government, which was ostensibly vested in the governour and his council, was suffi ciently rigid perhaps to correspond with the military. Citizenship was divided into Groot Burgerrecht and Klein Burgerrecht, or great citizenship and small citizenship. Merchants and traders were not only compelled to pay a duty for the privilege of becoming small citizens, but also to pay a recognition duty, a duty to the publick wharf, a duty to the publick pack huy, or store-house, a duty to the overseer of the weigh-scales, and a duty to the cyck meester, or weigh-master, for marking their weights and measures in conformity to the true Amsterdam standard. A house was provided for orphans and widows, who were placed under wees meesters, or orphan masters. The city fences were viewed and regulated by rog

spected all reed and straw roofs and wooden chimneys. There was also a court-messenger, whose multifarious duties were, to summon parties to court, to await the orders of the governour and council, sing with the school, read in church on Sunday, assist in burying the dead, and attend in tolling the bell; a "first commissary of marriage affairs," who determined all matrimonial controversies, an officer, by the bye, who would be of no small utility at the present day; a "comptroller of the revenues of the company's wind-mill," who inspected all grain before it was sent to the mill; and a city schoolmaster, who was ex-officio, clerk, chorister, and consoler of the sick!

This code, from all we can learn of it, must have been rather sanguinary and severe. The penalty for the first crime of blasphemy, was confinement on bread and water three days; the second offence was punished by perforating the offender's tongue with a hot iron, and banishing him the province. For mutiny; for leaving his corps de garde without permission from his corporal; for remaining at night out of the fort without permission of his captain; for challenging to fight; for disobeying his superiour; for "opposing himself to his officer or commander :" But notwithstanding the strictness of the military for neglecting his duty when on service; for leaving discipline, and the tidy care of the civil government, his post, or sleeping on guard, the soldier "should wholesome amusements of all kinds, were not only lose his life without any mercy." For wounding allowed, but encouraged amongst the citizens. They another so that blood ensued, he should lose his hand. consisted in dancing what were called the hipseyIf he went out or came into the fort except through saw, shuffle-shuffle, and simple reels, which were the ordinary gate, or cried for assistance in any fight doubtless quite as interesting as the modern galloor strife, he "should be hung and strangled." pade and waltz. Cards, nine-pins, balls and trickDrunkenness was punished by cashiering and ban-track were frequent, and "plucking the goose" afishing the offender from his company. If a soldier forded much amusement. They were wont also to did not appear on parade, he was placed on the amuse themselves in firing guns, beating the druin, wooden horse, whose back was not unlike a large and planting May-trees in new-year's and May-day. All offenders were conducted to the gaol, the It was a custom, common among these people, when whipping-post, the wooden horse, the gallows, or to a marriage was celebrated, to plant a May-pole bethe transport ship, by an officer called the prevost fore the door of the bridegroom, bound around with marshall. If guilty of a libel on the good burgo- ragged stockings; the source whence this curious masters, then he was conducted to a stake, with a practice originated, we have not attempted to er

saw.